Sock It To Me

The partnership with jockey Tiernan Power Roche hasn't cracked the code either — the pair have raced together six times without winning. That said, familiarity between horse and rider does have value, and the recent second place from their last six outings together (showing as a 2 in the form figures) is at least a sign that a decent run is possible. The most recent race was just 17 days ago, so Sock It To Me is fit and active rather than returning from a long break.

What gives the team genuine reason for optimism is the trainer. P J Rothwell, operating out of Tinahely in County Wicklow, has sent out 35 winners already this season — that is a yard in fine form. A trainer firing at that rate tends to know which horses are ready to run and when. Whether Sock It To Me is one of those horses edging closer to a breakthrough is the interesting question. Plenty of horses take time to find their feet, and landing in a stable with a strong season behind it is no bad place to be when you're still searching for that first win.